But here’s the thing: Coffee doesn’t raise your risk for hypertension, which is a chronic increase in blood pressure. It only jolts your B.P. for a few hours after drinking it—and even then, only in people who rarely drink it, says Italian researcher Giuseppe Grosso, M.D., Ph.D.

If your body isn’t used to caffeine, the chemical causes your blood vessels to narrow, which in turn cranks up your blood pressure, says Dr. Grosso. But a few hours later, your vessels return to normal and the effect fades.

The temporary bump in B.P. is harmless for most people, Dr. Shah says. Even guys with hypertension can safely drink one or two cups of coffee in a day.

What’s more, the short-term spike has nothing to do with your risk of developing chronic high blood pressure down the road, Dr. Shah says.

In fact, Dr. Grosso’s research shows that people who drink 3 to 4 cups a day actually have a lower risk for hypertension than non-coffee-drinkers, as long as they don’t smoke. That’s likely because coffee is rich in B.P.-lowering potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants, Dr. Grosso says.

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